causes - truth to self, truth to others, recognition of and interaction with the 'other', (those who are strangers to us or our way of life)...
Those of us who are getting a bit older and who have evolved in our thinking through the years, (and I have to believe there are a lot of us), owe it to our families, friends and the world at large to pass along the acquired knowledge. We should do this in the form of ideas, suggestions or just in the handing down of experiences.
Most will listen politely. After all we do deserve the respect of our years. Hopefully, we will be able to speak in such a way that they will actually listen, and maybe learn from our experience instead of making the same mistakes we have made.
I am doing more of this lately and am receiving what I think are positive reactions. It is satisfying to me and may actually be doing some good. I can only hope.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Sunday 2/25/2007
crusades - peace, justice, fairness, equality, self direction, self expression...
For a whole lot of years, I have paid attention to the writings and presentations of Isaac Asimov, Bill Moyers and many others like them, with whom I am of the same mind... that is, if you see something precursing injury to the individual or to the world at large, and you do nothing, then you share the blame for the injury. You are at least partially culpable in your apathy if you sound no alarms.
I have come to completely understand and agree with the rather inane sounding, but actually prescient, statement, "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem".
I have succeeded, I think, in passing this on to my children.
For a whole lot of years, I have paid attention to the writings and presentations of Isaac Asimov, Bill Moyers and many others like them, with whom I am of the same mind... that is, if you see something precursing injury to the individual or to the world at large, and you do nothing, then you share the blame for the injury. You are at least partially culpable in your apathy if you sound no alarms.
I have come to completely understand and agree with the rather inane sounding, but actually prescient, statement, "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem".
I have succeeded, I think, in passing this on to my children.
Sunday 2/25/2007
windmills, crusades and causes
windmills - idealism, romanticism, poetry, music, beauty...
My heart and soul before you lay.
I trust you not to trample them.
My wish before the end of day.
You may decide to sample them.
Lately, a renewed, and intense, appreciation for music.
windmills - idealism, romanticism, poetry, music, beauty...
My heart and soul before you lay.
I trust you not to trample them.
My wish before the end of day.
You may decide to sample them.
Lately, a renewed, and intense, appreciation for music.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
windmills, crusades and causes
windmills - idealism, romanticism, poetry, music, beauty...crusades - peace, justice, fairness, equality, self direction, self expression...causes - truth to self, truth to others, recognition of and interaction with the 'other', (those who are strangers to us or our way of life)...
windmill: "a short spiritual trek"
A sudden happening, and I have become open to the Universe.
A luminescence encompasses the spectrum of my imagination.
Vast and unbidden, it has engulfed my being.
It brings me home to the roots of my identity.
It whispers intimate truths unknown previous to its arrival.
Suddenly, bits of wisdom are mine where there was no inkling.
I am of the Universe. I accept this.
A fictitious scenario, wishful thinking, or somehow true?
I do not know, but I do know this.
I am feeling it, living it. I am changed.
A veil has lifted. Life, unbound...
crusade: see rewritten crusade posting below, from 02/11/2006
cause: Question everything. Do not fear the unknown.
There are faiths, beliefs, certainties, truths, information, proposals, theories, knowledge, accepted facts, empirical evidence, and more... Hold onto your doubt. Everything is subject to revision or simple disproof.
Now there are even 'memes', along with all the other devices used to manipulate us. We are inundated with messages, ads, presentations, propaganda of all shapes and sizes, plus proselytizing. All of these serve the source, not you.
There are ultimate truths, I suppose, but there are few ultimate authorities which do not serve the source. If we maintain our skepticism we may yet survive, even prosper.
Of course, faiths are comforting, and harmless as long as recognized as faiths. A belief in a higher power can be demonstrated to be an evolutionary artifact. It appears to be a genetic necessity among many people. If a modest kernel of doubt is maintained it is a benefit to the individual and various societies. I have acquired a faith in a benevolent Universe. It keeps me warm.
In the meantime, keep your mind open and theorize. Your guess is as good as anyone's, better than one from a person with an agenda.
windmills - idealism, romanticism, poetry, music, beauty...crusades - peace, justice, fairness, equality, self direction, self expression...causes - truth to self, truth to others, recognition of and interaction with the 'other', (those who are strangers to us or our way of life)...
windmill: "a short spiritual trek"
A sudden happening, and I have become open to the Universe.
A luminescence encompasses the spectrum of my imagination.
Vast and unbidden, it has engulfed my being.
It brings me home to the roots of my identity.
It whispers intimate truths unknown previous to its arrival.
Suddenly, bits of wisdom are mine where there was no inkling.
I am of the Universe. I accept this.
A fictitious scenario, wishful thinking, or somehow true?
I do not know, but I do know this.
I am feeling it, living it. I am changed.
A veil has lifted. Life, unbound...
crusade: see rewritten crusade posting below, from 02/11/2006
cause: Question everything. Do not fear the unknown.
There are faiths, beliefs, certainties, truths, information, proposals, theories, knowledge, accepted facts, empirical evidence, and more... Hold onto your doubt. Everything is subject to revision or simple disproof.
Now there are even 'memes', along with all the other devices used to manipulate us. We are inundated with messages, ads, presentations, propaganda of all shapes and sizes, plus proselytizing. All of these serve the source, not you.
There are ultimate truths, I suppose, but there are few ultimate authorities which do not serve the source. If we maintain our skepticism we may yet survive, even prosper.
Of course, faiths are comforting, and harmless as long as recognized as faiths. A belief in a higher power can be demonstrated to be an evolutionary artifact. It appears to be a genetic necessity among many people. If a modest kernel of doubt is maintained it is a benefit to the individual and various societies. I have acquired a faith in a benevolent Universe. It keeps me warm.
In the meantime, keep your mind open and theorize. Your guess is as good as anyone's, better than one from a person with an agenda.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
windmills, crusades and causes
windmills - idealism, romanticism, poetry, music, beauty...crusades - peace, justice, fairness, equality, self direction, self expression...causes - truth to self, truth to others, recognition of and interaction with the 'other', (those who are strangers to us or our way of life)...
windmill:
"The New Quixote"
to my daughter, Linda, for Valentine's day
I've tried to train fire not to run as it will,
rushing water not to flow down the hill,
baby birds not to leap from the nest,
the travlin' sun not to set in the west,
But, win or lose, you shall know that I fought,
to stanch a harm, I shall do what I ought,
My lady, your windmills I'm tilting at last,
by pipQuixote, the die has been cast.
You read the foregoing, I look like a fool,
but in you I see a most precious jewel,
one to be treasured, one to be praised,
one whose hopes be not dashed, but raised.
You have far to go, great things to do,
and if not, whatever, it is for you,
to decide what you want, that is your right,
and for your cause, I'll stand fast and fight.
Having no wealth, I still bear a gift,
time and knowledge, to help you to sift,
through all your talents, your dreams, your desires,
give you encouragement, and stoke your fires.
I can't save the world, tried it, I'm done.
None will listen, so I've picked out one,
and that one is you, one who is golden.
I am inspired! It's to you I'm beholden.
Don't fret about me, what I may do.
I'll just pledge this endeavor to you.
I'll stay far away o'er the oceans.
Wires will sing out all my devotions.
If you'll be the lady of my dreams,
my one Dulcinea, what this means,
I'll tilt your windmills and stay afar.
I'll be in orbit, you'll be my star...
crusade: (rewritten 02/18/2006)
We must make sure we change the direction in which our country is going. We must become honest with ourselves as citizens. Due to our self deception, we are not truly, at the present, an "exceptional" country "except" in our wealth and power, both of which have been appreciably diminished in the last few years.
Yes, we have many things in our history as a nation with which to be proud. We also, have other things with which we have been shamed and have not learned the maximum from due to not addressing these things honestly. The historical record is there, both past and recent, but a good share of our population lives with an arrogance which would belie this knowledge.
Much of our leadership makes decisions based on the conclusion that we 'are' exceptional, not that we could be and should be, not that, unfortunately, we truly are, due to fallible leadership, as fallible as most nations. The national honesty necessary for us to behave as a nation may be impossible to attain without the capacity for self honesty on a personal level. Yes, we are a nation of laws, but this nation is governed by men, fallible men, (and women).
Self honesty is born of a self knowledge of what makes us who we are and an empathy for what makes others what they are. I say, self knowledge is a bedrock prerequisite for self honesty. In fact I would say that is the only conclusion a logical mind could come to.
Admitting one may not already have self knowledge, and thus, self honesty is difficult. However, admitting that it would do no harm for one to do a little self evaluation, looking at personal motives, personal reactions, questioning ourselves on why we do some of the things we do, is a beginning. Gently questioning the actions of those around us, either covertly or overtly, also gives us further insight into ourselves.
It helps to remember that although certain behaviors can be devastating in various ways, the motives, personal needs, incorrect perceptions behind those behaviors are generally innocent and benign. We make innocent mistakes constantly, but those will become more rare as we acquire more self knowledge and thus gain the ability to use more free will in our actions.
The self defeating things we do can be explained by considering our inherited genetic tendencies along with our personal histories, peers, surroundings. Those inherited genetic tendencies and our personal histories are our nature/nurture. That nature/nurture is our 'self', the self which will react to certain stimuli exactly as programmed, *unless* we factor in the free will engendered by self knowledge and the inherent self honesty it carries with it.
Of course, no one can become a productive member of society without naturally acquiring a certain amount of self knowledge/self honesty. These things are inherent in most families. Therefore, they are naturally inherent in the nature/nurture of most of us. What I am suggesting is for each of us to take the next logical step in our personal development, which is to attempt to become truly self aware and self honest. We will never attain that goal completely, but, if we truly have a destiny as human beings, might it not be this quest?
How we would create a universal 'catalyst' for this self honesty crusade will be discussed in a future post. There is a 'planetary' theory being crafted. Whether it is feasible is another question.
cause:
Each of us, every day, must take the time to give inspiration to someone who needs it. Inspiration is one example of a catalyst which could very possibly make a difference in another person's life. Please remember, little things do mean a lot.
windmills - idealism, romanticism, poetry, music, beauty...crusades - peace, justice, fairness, equality, self direction, self expression...causes - truth to self, truth to others, recognition of and interaction with the 'other', (those who are strangers to us or our way of life)...
windmill:
"The New Quixote"
to my daughter, Linda, for Valentine's day
I've tried to train fire not to run as it will,
rushing water not to flow down the hill,
baby birds not to leap from the nest,
the travlin' sun not to set in the west,
But, win or lose, you shall know that I fought,
to stanch a harm, I shall do what I ought,
My lady, your windmills I'm tilting at last,
by pipQuixote, the die has been cast.
You read the foregoing, I look like a fool,
but in you I see a most precious jewel,
one to be treasured, one to be praised,
one whose hopes be not dashed, but raised.
You have far to go, great things to do,
and if not, whatever, it is for you,
to decide what you want, that is your right,
and for your cause, I'll stand fast and fight.
Having no wealth, I still bear a gift,
time and knowledge, to help you to sift,
through all your talents, your dreams, your desires,
give you encouragement, and stoke your fires.
I can't save the world, tried it, I'm done.
None will listen, so I've picked out one,
and that one is you, one who is golden.
I am inspired! It's to you I'm beholden.
Don't fret about me, what I may do.
I'll just pledge this endeavor to you.
I'll stay far away o'er the oceans.
Wires will sing out all my devotions.
If you'll be the lady of my dreams,
my one Dulcinea, what this means,
I'll tilt your windmills and stay afar.
I'll be in orbit, you'll be my star...
crusade: (rewritten 02/18/2006)
We must make sure we change the direction in which our country is going. We must become honest with ourselves as citizens. Due to our self deception, we are not truly, at the present, an "exceptional" country "except" in our wealth and power, both of which have been appreciably diminished in the last few years.
Yes, we have many things in our history as a nation with which to be proud. We also, have other things with which we have been shamed and have not learned the maximum from due to not addressing these things honestly. The historical record is there, both past and recent, but a good share of our population lives with an arrogance which would belie this knowledge.
Much of our leadership makes decisions based on the conclusion that we 'are' exceptional, not that we could be and should be, not that, unfortunately, we truly are, due to fallible leadership, as fallible as most nations. The national honesty necessary for us to behave as a nation may be impossible to attain without the capacity for self honesty on a personal level. Yes, we are a nation of laws, but this nation is governed by men, fallible men, (and women).
Self honesty is born of a self knowledge of what makes us who we are and an empathy for what makes others what they are. I say, self knowledge is a bedrock prerequisite for self honesty. In fact I would say that is the only conclusion a logical mind could come to.
Admitting one may not already have self knowledge, and thus, self honesty is difficult. However, admitting that it would do no harm for one to do a little self evaluation, looking at personal motives, personal reactions, questioning ourselves on why we do some of the things we do, is a beginning. Gently questioning the actions of those around us, either covertly or overtly, also gives us further insight into ourselves.
It helps to remember that although certain behaviors can be devastating in various ways, the motives, personal needs, incorrect perceptions behind those behaviors are generally innocent and benign. We make innocent mistakes constantly, but those will become more rare as we acquire more self knowledge and thus gain the ability to use more free will in our actions.
The self defeating things we do can be explained by considering our inherited genetic tendencies along with our personal histories, peers, surroundings. Those inherited genetic tendencies and our personal histories are our nature/nurture. That nature/nurture is our 'self', the self which will react to certain stimuli exactly as programmed, *unless* we factor in the free will engendered by self knowledge and the inherent self honesty it carries with it.
Of course, no one can become a productive member of society without naturally acquiring a certain amount of self knowledge/self honesty. These things are inherent in most families. Therefore, they are naturally inherent in the nature/nurture of most of us. What I am suggesting is for each of us to take the next logical step in our personal development, which is to attempt to become truly self aware and self honest. We will never attain that goal completely, but, if we truly have a destiny as human beings, might it not be this quest?
How we would create a universal 'catalyst' for this self honesty crusade will be discussed in a future post. There is a 'planetary' theory being crafted. Whether it is feasible is another question.
cause:
Each of us, every day, must take the time to give inspiration to someone who needs it. Inspiration is one example of a catalyst which could very possibly make a difference in another person's life. Please remember, little things do mean a lot.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
windmills, crusades and causes
windmills - idealism, romanticism, poetry, music, beauty...
crusades - peace, justice, fairness, equality, self direction, self expression...
causes - truth to self, truth to others, recognition of and interaction with the 'other', (those who are strangers to us or our way of life)...
windmill: a collaboration i would like to see - Leonard Cohen and Fiona Apple, two of the most talented lyricists alive, alike in darkness, timbre and anger over injustice. they share an underlying idealism and talent for metaphoric clarity. their words, though sparse, speak volumes. Leonard's maturity would take a bit of the edge off the anger of Fiona. Fiona would give Leonard a new boost of creative inspiration and musical innovation. i think this collaboration would have to be a classic.
crusade: we must interact, negotiate, let our supposed enemies know us and we them. as strangers, we can avoid respect for them through lack of knowledge. as acquaintances, we begin to strip away the fallacies of the 'other', find there is no 'other' only another, another human, another potential brother... in eventual peace.
cause: support the crusade of Al Gore and others like him to begin the process of saving our planet by calling to task all the delusional political and corporate leaders who would put their quest for success and power over the futures of their own children and grandchildren. money can buy most anything, but in the world these people would bring us, it could not buy their safety.
another little windmill - the power of self:
kick him to the curb, the destroyer of ego,
kick him to the curb and listen to me so,
you can now learn, of your awesome power.
kick him to the curb, that pathetic fool,
kick him to the curb, he's using you, cruel,
you must now learn, it's your shining hour.
what can you do now, to justify beauty?
what should you do now, what is your duty?
it's only to you, and your fellow man.
use all of those gifts, and use them full well,
use wisely those gifts, and so they may tell,
of the beauty and truth, that's in our plan.
that's all for today... peace, and take ownership... llp
crusades - peace, justice, fairness, equality, self direction, self expression...
causes - truth to self, truth to others, recognition of and interaction with the 'other', (those who are strangers to us or our way of life)...
windmill: a collaboration i would like to see - Leonard Cohen and Fiona Apple, two of the most talented lyricists alive, alike in darkness, timbre and anger over injustice. they share an underlying idealism and talent for metaphoric clarity. their words, though sparse, speak volumes. Leonard's maturity would take a bit of the edge off the anger of Fiona. Fiona would give Leonard a new boost of creative inspiration and musical innovation. i think this collaboration would have to be a classic.
crusade: we must interact, negotiate, let our supposed enemies know us and we them. as strangers, we can avoid respect for them through lack of knowledge. as acquaintances, we begin to strip away the fallacies of the 'other', find there is no 'other' only another, another human, another potential brother... in eventual peace.
cause: support the crusade of Al Gore and others like him to begin the process of saving our planet by calling to task all the delusional political and corporate leaders who would put their quest for success and power over the futures of their own children and grandchildren. money can buy most anything, but in the world these people would bring us, it could not buy their safety.
another little windmill - the power of self:
kick him to the curb, the destroyer of ego,
kick him to the curb and listen to me so,
you can now learn, of your awesome power.
kick him to the curb, that pathetic fool,
kick him to the curb, he's using you, cruel,
you must now learn, it's your shining hour.
what can you do now, to justify beauty?
what should you do now, what is your duty?
it's only to you, and your fellow man.
use all of those gifts, and use them full well,
use wisely those gifts, and so they may tell,
of the beauty and truth, that's in our plan.
that's all for today... peace, and take ownership... llp
Saturday, February 3, 2007
introduction
first there was an egg... laid by an invisible chicken, i guess.
eventually, along came pipQuixote.
when the time is right, an explanation for that blog title will be posted.
welcome. i will attempt to make any visits here thought provoking, and somewhat entertaining.
pipQuixote/alapip
eventually, along came pipQuixote.
when the time is right, an explanation for that blog title will be posted.
welcome. i will attempt to make any visits here thought provoking, and somewhat entertaining.
pipQuixote/alapip
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
